Control assembly for a liquid dispenser



June 11, 1968 LEVAKE 3,387,692

CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR A LIQUID DISPENSER Filed Sept. 6, 1966 2Sheets-Sheet 1 L932 32 Ill? l RICHARD IV. LEVAKE l/6 INVENTOR MUMATTORNEYS June 11, 1968 LEVAKE 3,387,692

CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR A LIQUID DISPENSER Filed Sept. 6, 1966 2Sheets-Sheet 2 I I I I I I ,I I I I RICHARD N. LEVAKE INVENTOR MW 72101164! .4 TTORNEIS United States Patent 3,387,692 CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR ALIQUID DISPENSER Richard N. Levake, Phoenix, Ariz., assignor to LevakeIndustries, a corporation of Arizona Filed Sept. 6, 1966, Ser. No.577,343 Claims. (Cl. 194-6) The present invention is extremely wellsuited for machines of the type of coin vending machines, adapted fordispensing liquids in the nature of hair sprays, perfumes, hair and facedressings and lotions, and other similar substances which in generalconsist of a sticky substance which has caused problems by creatingmalfunctioning of dispensing valves or the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid dispensingmachine of the character described wherein dual interconnectedelectrical control means are provided, which require the utilization ofa coin to prime an electrical circuit and render it operable prior tooperation of a dispensing nozzle. Additional structural means areincorporated in the dispensing nozzle whereby, subsequent to depositionof a coin in the machine, a separate control mechanism, such as abutton, must be actuated prior to actual dispensing of a desired liquid.

A still further object of the present invention is the incorporation ina liquid dispensing machine and apparatus of an electrical circuitnecessitating initial deposition of a coin to actuate a time controldispensing circuit, and further including a dispensing nozzle controlcircuit which is operable to activate or deactivate liquid dispensingoperation of a nozzle selectively, irrespective of the time controlcircuit but incorporated therein, to insure an over-all liquiddispensing time increment which is not affected by non-dispensing timeperiods, but which cumulatively assures an over-all predetermined liquiddispensing period.

Another feature of the present invention resides in a valving mechanismin a dispensing nozzle which insures proper and prompt functioning fordispensing and nondispensing periods for a liquid through the dispensingnozzle, and which valving mechanism is especially designed to preventsticking or jamrning due to the nature of liquid being dispensed, and toinsure prompt opening and closing of a discharge conduit and opening inthe dispensing mechanism, in conjunction with a selectively operableelectrical circuit for controlling periods of opening and closing of thedispensing mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a liquiddispensing mechanism and liquid dispensing nozzle of a simple,inexpensive and failure proof nature, particularly suitable foroperation as a coin vending machine for general use by the public fordispensing liquids of various types, and which gives optimum and failsafe operations over a protracted period of time,

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with a desired operational control cycle functioning at the desire of auser of the apparatus.

Additional objects and features of the present invention will be morereadily apparent from the following detailed description of preferredembodimentsvthereof when taken together with the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid dispensing machine inaccordance with the present invention, including a liquid dispensingnozzle connected thereto;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view, artially in section, of a liquid dispensingnozzle in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of 'an electrical circuit for control of thedispensing machine of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view, partly in section, of a valvingconstruction particularly suitable for use in the dispensing nozzle ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of coin operable mechanism adapted foractuation of a portion of the dispensing machine;

FIG. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 and showing a modified coinactuatable circuit operating mechanism.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 acabinet, generally designated 10, adapted for containing the mechanismof the present invention, and of a usual construction suitable forvending machine purposes. A coin slot 12 serves for introduction thereinof a coin adapted for actuation of the mechanism, and a light 14 isarranged on the face of the cabinet to indicate a condition or period ofoperability of the device. A dispensing nozzle, generally designated 16,is interconnected with fluid dispensing mechanism in the cabinet bymeans of a flexible tube or hose 18, and a storage compartment is formedin the front of the cabinet for storage of the dispensing nozzle 16 whenin inoperable or stored condition.

The dispensing nozzle has an actuating button 22 disposed at an endthereof adaptable, as will :be described in more detail hereinafter, forcontrolling dispensing and non-dispensing periods of a liquid from thenozzle. A liquid outlet orifice 24 is located in a side of thedispensing nozzle through which liquid to be dispensed is emitted duringperiods of operation of the dispensing nozzle.

The construction of the dispensing nozzle 16 is more readily observablefrom the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2. This nozzle consists of acentral body portion 26, and upper and lower end portions 28 and 30,respectively, secured to One another in any desired and known manner.The flexible tube or hose 18 has the end thereof inserted within thelower end 30 and terminates in a wavilinear cupped attachment end 32. Atube 34, connected to a source of liquid to be dispensed, not shown,passes through the tube 18 and terminates in an end 36 which isfrictionally engaged on a lower end 38 of a metal member 40 which isrigidly mounted Within the dispenser casing. The member 40, being ofmetal, is a magnetic conductor, for purposes hereinafter to be setforth. The upper end of the member 40 terminates in an upper tubularportion 42, and a central bore 44 extends through the length of themember 40 and is adapted for passage therethrough of a liquid to bedispensed. A coil 46 of a usual type utilized in solenoid valves iscontained within the dispensing head, and within a central hollow bore48 therein a metal solenoid valve 50 is slidably disposed. A bore 52extends through the valve 50 which is additionally provided with acylindrical recess 54 in the lower end thereof which opens into the bore52, and which additionally serves for coaction with the tubular portion42 as a guide and restraining interconnection of the members.

A spring 56 is interposed between the valve 50 and the metal member 40,and serves the function of maintaining the valve in normally closedposition against action of the armature when energized, and which tendsto draw the valve downwardly against the pressure of spring 56 to openthe dispensing valve. The bore 52 terminates in branched passageways 52aand 52b adapted for better dissemination of liquid passing through thebore 52 from a source of liquid. A truncated conical shaped nozzle head58 is fixed in the dispensing head by means of an adjustable collar 60coacting with a flange 62 and a plug 64. The nozzle head 58 is in opencommunication with a space 66 above the valve 50. The valve 50 at itsupper nose portion has a generally tapering curvilinear configuration asshown at 68.

An O-ring 69 is interposed between plug 64 and the upper opening throughnozzle head 58, and coacts with the curvilinear nose portion 68 to forma shut-oil valve to prevent fluid flow through the dispensing head. Asecond O-ring 70 is likewise interposed between the plug and valve headin conjunction with the collar 60 to form an additional liquid seal inthe dispensing head. A chamber 72 is provided interiorly of the upperend 28 of the dispensing nozzle 16 and in which a spray nozzle '74 isoperatively secured and having a passage 76 therethrough adapted foremitting a spray of fluid in the nature off an atomizer, as generallyindicated at 78, which passes through the liquid outlet orifice 24. Inorder to operate the dispensin nozzle, the actuating button 22 isoperatively associated with a switch, generally designated 80, which isconnected to coil 46 in a circuit to be described hereinafter, and theother of which is operatively interconnected into the actuating circuitfor the device. Operation of the dispensing head will be describedhereinafter in connection with the operation of the over-all unit.

The actual valve arrangement is better shown in FIG. 4 of the drawingswhich shows the shape and arrangement of the valve seat or head, inconjunction with the plug 64, the Oring 69 and the intercommunicatingpassage 76 which opens into the outlet between the valve and the innerO-ring. It is quite important that the configuration of the upper end ofthe valve 50 be as shown in FIG. 4, especially when using the mechanismfor dispensing sticky liquids and the like. If the point, for example,were constructed as a needle nose point, it could wedge into the sealingO-ring and possibly result in a radical and non-working unit. If thepoint were round or oval, for example, then under some applications thehydraulic force covered by the area of the external point surface wouldbe larger than the magnetic force available in the assembly for openingor closing the valve. By utilizing the point construction of the presentinvention, the hydraulic force is operative only over the area of thepoint extending through the O-ring, which is very small and provides nocomplications in operation. In actuation, when the coil is energized,the O-ring will commence to take a true round form upon withdrawal ofthe valve stem, thereby decreasing the hydraulic pressure until thevalve is open. The particular configuration and arrangement additionallyprovides for a cleaning or wiping action between the valve point and theO-ring, which prevents deposition of liquid materials bein sprayedthrough the dispensing head. The cavity 84 surrounding the spray nozzle74 helps in utilizing all of the available aerosol pressure material inthe liquid supply or source by pulling a minute vacuum to aid in properatomization and spraying of the material.

An operable electrical circuit for the dispensing mechanism of thepresent invention is shown in, FIG. 3 of the drawings. Leads 86 areconnectable to a suitable source of alternating current, such as 110volts and are interconnected to a coin controlled 2-pole relay switch 88having a solenoid 89 associated therewith, adapted for actuation andclosing of the switch by a coin inserted in the machine as will bedescribed hereinafter, and thence are operatively connected to a gearhead motor 90. A transformer 92 is connected into the circuit andoperatively connected to diodes, generally designated 94, the latterarrangement being for the purpose of converting alternating currentpower to direct current for actuation of the dispensing mechanisms. Thelight 14 is connected in the circuit and adapted for indicating when thecircuit is operable for energization of the dispensing nozzle per se. Asshown in the lower part of FIG. 3, the dispensing nozzle 16 has coil 46connected into the circuit, and the switch is operable by means of theactuating button 22 to operatively close the circuit when it is d..-sired to spray a liquid through the dispensing nozzle.

A coin chute is generally indicated at 98 in FIG. 3 and shows a coin 106inserted therein in operable engagement with each of a pair of contactpoints 102 to establish a circuit therebetween. The diodes 94 areconstructed of two adjacently disposed four-way bridge type rectifyingdiodes 95 and 96. Diode 95 is fed current from the transformer 92 at itsmaximum output voltage through a pair of output leads 92a and 9212 whichare respectively connected to a pair of intermediate poles 95a and 95b.The diode 95 further includes a pair of opposite end poles 95c and 95dwhich are respectively internally connected through the diode in currentconducting relation to the intermediate poles 95b and 95a. A thirdintermediate output lead 92c is connected for supplying approximatelyone-half of the maximum output voltage of the transformer 92 to anintermediate pole 96a of the diode 96. The intermediate pole 96a isassociated in current conducting relation through the diode to an endpole 96b and are the only poles of diode 96 which are utilized in thepresent system.

The electrical circuit for the dispensing mechanism of the presentinvention further includes a branch lead 92d which is connected to theoutput lead 92b from the transformer for connection through the coil 46,the nozzle switch 80, and the light 14 to the end pole 95c of the diode95. A branch line 102a is connected between the line 92d at a pointbetween the nozzle switch 80 and the lower contact 102 of the coinswitch within the coin chute 98. The upper contact 102 is connected by aconductor line 102.b to the end .pole 96b of the diode 96. A branch line89a is connected to the line 102b between the coin switch and the diodefor connection through the coil of the solenoid 89 to the end pole 95dof the diode 95. In operation, when a coin is inserted in slot 12, itwill pass into chute 98 to the operative circuit position shown in FIG.3 where the coin establishes contact between th contact points 102 toclose the circuit. Such closing of the contacts 102 by the coin isefiective only to energize the light 14 to indicate that the circuit ispro-conditioned for selective operation of the nozzle 16. Electriccurrent from the transformer 92 for energizing the light flows throughthe intermediate lead 920 and into the diode 96 at its intermediate pole96a and through the diode to its end pole 96b. Such flow of current isdirected through the line 102b, the coin switch contacts 102, the branchline 102a, the branch lead 92d and thence to the end pole 950 of thediode 95 for passage through the diode to its companion intermediatepole 95b in order to complete the circuit back to the transformer 92through its output 'lead 9212. As previously described, the voltagethrough the transformer output lead 92c supplies only approximatelyone-half of the maximum output voltage of the transformer so that whilesuch current is permitted to flow through the coil of the solenoid 89through the line 89a, such voltage is not sufiicient to provide a forcenecessary to close the motor switch 88.

With the electrical system preconditioned for operation by the insertionof the coin 100 into the chute 98 to close the contacts 102, the button22 may be depressed by the operator to close the nozzle switch which, byvirtue of its series connection with the coin switch contacts 102 andthe motor switch 88, is eiiective to activate the nozzle and to energizethe motor 90. During such operation, the maximum output voltage from thetransformer 92 is directed through the branch lead 9211', the coil 46,the switch 80, and through the coin between the contacts 102.. Suchcurrent proceeds through the line 102b, and the branch line 89a forenergizing the solenoid coil 89, and thence travels back to the end pole95d of the diode 95. The circuit is completed through the diode 95 withthe flow of current being directed from the end pole 95d to itscompanion pole 95a and back to the transformer by way of lead 92a. Withthe full output voltage of the transformer energizing the solenoid coil89, the motor switch 88 is closed to direct the primary volt current inthe leads 86 from the power source to the motor 90. Operation of themotor, when only the coin switch is closed, cannot take place until theswitch 80 is closed by means of the actuating button 22. When theactuating button 22 is closed and a coin is operatively positioned inthe chute so as to close the remainder of the circuit including switch88, then the motor 90 can rotate as long as the double controlledcircuit is entirely operable. If the actuating button 22 is notdepressed, or if a coin is not operatively positioned in chute 98, themotor will not rotate.

An arm 104 is carried on the shaft of motor 90 for rotation uponactuation thereby. A rotatably mounted lever 106 is operativelyassociated with chute 98 and may be spring biased to a chute closing andcoin retaining position such as shown in FIG. 3. Subsequent to acomplete rotation of motor 90 in the direction of the arrow shown at108, the outer end of arm 104 will engage with an end of lever 106 tomove it in such manner as to disengage the coin 100 in the chute 98 andpermit passage of the coin downwardly in the chute, which thereby breakscontact with contact points 102 to open the circuit and prevent furtheroperation of the dispensing mechanism. Another coin must be inserted inthe mechanism in order to prepare the electrical circuit for subsequentoperation to rotate motor 90 by depressing the actuating button 22 toclose the spring biased switch 80 and thereby establish the proper motorand dispensing circuit, while at the same time serving to open the valvestructure by intercoaction between the coil 46 and solenoid valve 50 ina known usual manner to permit fiow of liquid through the valve to bedispensed from the dispensing head. The time increment of spraying istherefore governed by the cumulative over-all period of time duringwhich the actuating button 22 is held in a depressed position, and whenthe button is released the motor will not rotate and the desired timeinterval of the motor which governs the over-all dispensing time is notaffected. In other words, both switches 80 and 88 and the contacts 102must be closed before the dispensing head is operable.

FIGS. 5 through 7, inclusive, disclose coin chute and switch mechanismswhich can be utilized in the circuit schematically shown in FIG. 3. Inthe device of FIG. 5 a coin chute is shown .at 110, and a coin is shownat 112 in different positions therein. A bracket 114 is mounted in thecabinet in any desired manner, and has a spring 116 mounted thereon forsupporting coaction with an arm 118 pivotally mounted at 120 adapted tohave its outer end engage and retain a coin at the position indicated at112a, after it has fallen through the chute 110. The spring 116 normallymaintains the arm 118 in a rotated position to open points 112 which areconnected into the electrical circuit by means of leads 124, 126 andopen the circuit. The points 122 in effect constitute the switch 88shown in FIG. 3. When a coin falls into the position shown at 112a thisserves to pivot the arm 118 into the position shown in FIG. 5, whichcloses the circuit by establishing contact between the points at 122 tothereby permit subsequent energization of the circuit by means ofactuating button 22. A slot 128 is formed in chute 110, adapted forpassage therethrough of the end of arm 130 attached to the shaft ofmotor 132. Upon actuation of the motor over the predesigned rotationalperiod thereof, by means of the actuating button 22, the arm 130 willpass into the slot 128 to engage a coin in the chute, as at 112a,resting on the free end of :arm 118 and displace it to the positionshown at 112b where it is out of engagement with the arm, and the spring116 thereupon opens contact between the points 122 to de-energize thecircuit until such time .as another coin is inserted in the chute andthe operating cycle thereby re-established.

A different type of mechanism for closing the switch 88 of FIG. 3 isshown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. Here the chute 134 is again adapted forthe passage therethrough of a coin 136, into operative position 136a.Stripping or points 138 are operatively positioned in the chute, asshown at dotted lines in FIG. 7, and are adapted for engagement with acoin positioned at 136a to close the circuit through leads 140 bypassage of current through the coin when in contact with points 138.This mechanism acting as switch 88 of FIG. 3 is operable in a clearlyunderstandable manner. Slot 142 is provided in the chute into which anend of arm 144, operatively associated with the shaft of the motor,extend-s and operable in the same manner as the mechanism of FIG. 6.Upon rotation of the motor through a complete cycle, dependent uponcumulative time of actuation of actuating button 22, the :arm will enterthe slot 128 and engage the rearward end of the coin positioned at 136ato force it out of contact with the contacts 138 to open the circuit,and thereby prevent further actuation of the dispensing mechanism untila further coin is inserted in the slot.

In either of the constructions shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 the purpose andresult is the same. The principle involved is that a coin is held inplace and establishes a circuit until a desired time period haselapse-d, whereupon the circuit is opened due to discharge ordisplacement of the coin from the circuit establishing position.

It is believed that operation of the device will be apparent from theforegoing description of operative embodiments of the invention. Theoperation and sequence of events to operate the machine might briefly,however, be described as follows: When a coin is placed in the coin slot12 it passes into a coin chute described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5and 7, thereby establishing a circuit including the switches 80 and 88.The light 14 can, if desired, be actuated during this operation and thecoil 4-6 is energized. The motor and the arm connected thereto willthereupon begin to rotate at a preselected r.p.m. which can beestablished in any desired manner. If current in the circuit isdiscontinued by an opening of the dispensing head switch, the motor willstop and the dispensing valve will be closed due to inactivating thecoil. The light can still remain on. The machine during this t meinterval can remain in a dormant stage for any desired length of time,while still maintaining the established time cycle period without thepossibility of injuring or burning component parts of the circuit andmechanisms connected therein due to the fact that the time cycle has notbeen completed and a complete circuit has not been established. Theremaining time left in the timing mechanism of the motor is not affectedwhen the actuator button is opened. When the actuator button is closedthe circuit is again completed, whereupon rotation of the motorrec-ommences and the time cycle :again starts to run. The machine willthereupon continue to operate until the arm actuated by the motor breaksthe circuit upon dislodgment of a coin from its operating position in achute. At this time the circuit is tie-energized thereby stoppingthemotor .and closing the dispensing valve as well as inactivating theindicator light.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what areconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed hereinbut is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace anyand all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A dispensing device comprising:

(A) a source of fluid;

(B) an electrically controlled valve connected to said source of fluid;and

(C) an electrical control circuit connected to the valve having (1) anaggregate time measuring device actuated by a coin .and adapted torelease the coin upon expiration of a predetermined aggregate time,

(2) a manually controlled switch connected electrically in series withthe aggregate time measuring device operable to actuate the valve inselected increments until said increments equal said predeterminedaggregate time, and

(3) :a coin chute, said control circuit having a coin switch providing apair of electrical contacts disposed in predetermined spaced relationwithin the chute, said aggregate time measuring device including a leverpivotaily mounted in said chute for movement between a positionsupporting a coin in the chute in bridging current conducting relationbetween said contacts and a position retracted therefrom for releasingthe coin.

2. The dispensing device of claim 1 in which said aggregate timemeasuring device includes a lever actuating arm rotatable through apredetermined path of travel, and said lever being disposed in said pathof travel for engagement by the arm to move the lever to its coinreleasing position coincident with the expiration of said predeterminedaggregate time.

3. The dispensing device of claim 2 including an electric motor disposedin driving relation to said arm, and a mot-or switch disposed withinsaid control circuit in series relation to said coin switch and to saidmanually controlled switch.

4. A dispensing device comprising:

(A) :a source of fluid under pressure;

(B) an electrically controlled valve connected to the source of fluidand having an operating solenoid;

(C) a timing motor;

(D) an energizing circuit connected to the motor and having a controlswitch in series with the motor actuated by a control solenoid;

(E) a coin operated switch;

(F) means for releasably retaining a coin in operating relation to saidcoin switch operably associated with the motor to release the coin uponoperation of the motor for a predetermined aggregated period, said meansprovides an arm rotatably driven by the motor through a predeterminedpath, and a pivotably mounted coin supporting lever disposed within saidpath for engagement by the arm to release the coin;

(G) a manually operated switch; and

(H) a control circuit connecting the operating solenoid of the controlswitch, the coin switch, the manual switch and the operating solenoid ofthe valve electrically in series.

5. A dispensing device comprising a source of liquid under pressure;liquid dispensing means connected to said source of liquid; valve meansin said dispensing means; a coin chute; an electrical circuit providingfirst switch means operably associated with said chute, a second switchmeans in the circuit in series relation to said first switch means andoperably associated with said dispensing means; an electric motor insaid electrical circuit; and an arm rotatably driven by said motor forrotation upon the closing of said first and second switch means, saidfirst switch means including a pivotally mounted lever having a contacton an end thereof engageable with another contact in said first switchmeans, and an opposite end engageable by a coin inserted in said chute,and being pivotable thereby to close said contacts.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,900,989 4/1933 Halstead et a1.1946 1,982,535 11/1934 Patterson.

2,589,785 3/1952 Edington 194-6 2,731,124 1/1956 Kaplanowski 194-63,104,030 9/1963 Hewlett.

3,193,143 7/1965 Maieli 222-604 X 3,198,404 8/1965 Welohes 222504 X3,313,450 4/ 1967 Erickson 222 X WALTER SOBIN, Primary Examiner.

